Exodus Bi-Weekly Update #5 news

After our pine tree pack release a few weeks ago we’ve seen a ton of new maps utilizing our trees and I must say my jaw has dropped more than once. There is some fantastic talent out there, great work to everyone!

As a special present to everyone we have quite a large update to share with you. Everyone has been working really hard and today’s update will feature some of the best pieces of work we’ve created thus far. We're also revealing some new menu music and a new website!

A long time ago we showed some concept art of an observation tower before and after the snow. The model has been created by Guybrush and it really turned out well. The towers were built by the Ancients to defend against the invading forces of the north. They have long since been abandoned and are now used as shelter for traveling merchants. Orange Duck has also been working on the weapon concepts to get them all modeled. We have several sword and axe variations, take note of the intricate detail that was put into the axes especially. The Nordic people took a lot of care in the way their warrior weapons looked visually.

Guybrush has also been working on a rhino stable that will be an important building in our village. The rhinos are extremely well treated because without them, the fields couldn't be ploughed and their farm land is an essential part of survival. The villagers actually take care of the rhinos better than they do themselves. We have tried to capture this immense building in a few in-game screenshots below. You may notice a pulley system that has been developed to control the gates that let the rhino’s in and out of their pen. The first shot is the concept art by Zamolxis and the right shot is the transformation into an in-game asset.

As you all know our first release will be a prologue. The prologue will be used as a way of introducing the player to our world and characters. It will explain the background story and provide the player with the chance of learning the combat system and other features.

Since we are trying to create an engrossing, cinematic experience, we need some really good music to help bring everything to life. Our music will be an essential part to the story, setting the emotional tone of each scene. Gopher, our composer, recently finished our menu music and we are anxious to share it with you so check it out.

Lastly, we have a new website! Over the past few weeks Bill Lowe has been creating a new design for us that is integrated with our forums for consistency. One thing to note is that we'll be adding a suggestions area to the website in which you can submit a question and/or suggestion and our team will use the feedback during the production of our mod. Who knows, your idea may be just what we need to add that extra flair to this project. We also have a bunch of other new features on the website that you’ll just have to see for yourself to find out about.

Exodus' world is full of history and religion. As our development progress' so do our races beliefs and our understanding of each one as seperate entities. We draw influences from all over the world and its allowing us to create multi layered race's that are believable with unique identities.

The Human race is formed of several communities littered across Sutverold, the known Human world. The Human people were born out of the ashes of the Aeglidanr Exodus. The Humans were left behind to die in the 1st whiteout as the Aeglidanr migrated south. However the Humans perserved and although they suffered greatly, the Human race survived the 1st whiteout.

The people of Haelcombe originally descended from the Aeglidanr. When CyneFrid founded Haelcombe in 186 2nd Whiteout, his people became known as the Cyndfolk, meaning 'Kind People'. The Cyndfolk originate from Caepstan, but now dwell in Haelcombe.The Cyndfolk were skilled farmers, constructing vast arrays of fields to feed their people. The Cyndfolk were taught by Aethelric how to tame the giant Rhinos of the Great Plains. It was this knowledge that ultimately saved the Cyndfolk from starvation as they struggled to break the earth of the Lower Plain in Cyreslaek.The Cyndfolk use their Rhinos to hunt much larger prey and fight off rival humans. With as many as 3 warriors on the back of these giant beasts it allows the Cyndfolk to fire bows and throw spears at their enemy from high off the ground.

We hope everyone enjoyed the update! We’ll have more coming to you at the end of May, in the meantime, join our forums and have a chat with us! We’re also looking for new members, in particular writers, programmers, animators and sound effects designers. Thanks and see you next time!